Vitamin B9

Recently Answered

• QHow does folic acid help with homocysteine?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  Homocysteine is a protein precursor that at high levels is associated with heart disease, arteriosclerosis, stroke, and osteoporosis. No wonder they say truth is stranger than fiction.
  
  Folic acid is involved with the breakdown of homocysteine. So the theory is that if there’s a steady supply of folic acid in your diet, homocysteine levels will be kept in check. (Note: vitamins B6 and 12 are also important in this process as well, so make sure you’re getting enough of all B vitamins every day.) However, no controlled treatment studies have ever documented that folic acid reduces your risk for arteriosclerosis, heart disease or stroke or affect the development or recurrence of these conditions. That being said, it is still incredibly important to get enough of your B vitamins every day.

  See All 3 Answers
• QWhat is vitamin B9?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Vitamin B9 is a vitamin that can be acquired over-the-counter or prescribed to you by a doctor. It is a member of the B-vitamin family called folic acid. It is found in many foods, so most people do not need to take a folic acid supplement. However, pregnant women need to increase their intake of folic acid to guard against spinal birth defects. It helps cell function, metabolism and growth, making it a very important nutrient. It also helps prevent anemia and certain negative DNA mutations. Ask your doctor if you are receiving enough vitamin B9 through your diet.
  
  

  See All 2 Answers
• QHow can I get enough folate or folic acid each day?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Most people can get enough folate by eating a variety of foods because a healthy diet contains plenty of the nutrient. But some people need to supplement with folic acid, the synthetic form of the vitamin. This is particularly important for women before and during pregnancy. They need folic acid to help prevent the birth defects spina bifida and anencephaly.
  
  Multivitamins usually contain 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid, the minimum needed for health. Prenatal vitamins often contain more, since pregnant women need up to 800 mcg daily. Folic acid is also available in stand-alone supplements. Talk to your doctor about how much you need.
  

  See All 3 Answers
• QWhat is folic acid?

  7 Answers

  A

  

  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  Folic acid, or folate, is one of several B vitamins. More specifically (and this is just for those of you who love trivia facts), folic acid is vitamin B9.
  
  It is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it dissolves in water, so any excess or leftover vitamin will come out at your next bathroom break -- it can’t be stored up. This means that you have to make sure you are getting enough of it on a daily basis.
  
  Folic acid is an important vitamin for men and women, because it is used to help the body make DNA (our genetic material) and new cells. But it’s especially important for pregnant women because getting the right amount of folic acid is necessary to prevent a serious birth defect called spina bifida as well as decrease Junior’s risk of cancer in his early years. There is a risk in too much…more than 1,200 micrograms a day seems to foster the growth of some cancers -- such as some breast cancers, just as too little fosters cancer’s initiation.
  
  Guys who are older than 14 need 800 micrograms a day. Girls and women ages 14-50 need at least 800 micrograms daily; pregnant women should aim for 800 micrograms a day. Women who are older than 50 need 800 mcg a day.
  
  This may seem like a lot, but you can find it in a lot of food (and cover the rest with a supplement). Look for it in orange juice and other citrus fruits or juices; dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach or kale; and beans. Pork, chicken and shellfish (like lobster) contain folic acid. Cereals and breads also are typically fortified with B9, but read the nutrition label to be sure.

  See All 7 Answers
• QWhat does folic acid deficiency cause?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Folic acid deficiency can cause symptoms including diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss and weakness. It may also lead to headaches, a sore tongue, heart palpitations, irritability and memory problems. Folic acid deficiency may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing the blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that seems to promote blood clots and fat buildup in the arteries. Women who are deficient in folic acid and become pregnant are at increased risk for having babies born prematurely, at low birth weight and/or with neural tube defects (problems with the formation of the baby's brain and spine). Talk to your doctor about your own folic acid needs.
  

  See All 2 Answers
• QHow does folic acid affect my risk for cancer?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Folic acid has been shown to protect against certain cancers. This B vitamin is required to make DNA and RNA, which are involved in protein sysntesis. Folic acid also helps to prevent changes to DNA. Low blood levels of folic acid are associated with cancer risks. This includes breast and colon cancers. Folic acid is often used with a drug called methotrexate to treat cancer. Cancer cells divide very quickly. Methotrexate actually reduces the activity of enzymes that use folate. An enzyme is a protein that causes changes in other substances. This combination may reduce cancer risks.

  See All 3 Answers
• QHow should I take folic acid?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  You should take folic acid exactly as directed by your doctor. Here are some guidelines:

  • Folic acid comes in tablet form
  • It’s usually taken once a day
  • Take it with a full glass of water
  • If it is medically prescribed, doses may be adjusted over time

  See All 2 Answers
• QCan too much folic acid offset the benefits of other vitamins?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Adults who consume over 1,000 micrograms of folic acid, which is more than twice the recommended amount, run the risk of masking a vitamin B12 deficiency. This can be a serious problem because a B12 deficiency can lead to permanent nerve damage if it's not detected.
  
  It's especially important to know about this danger if you're over 50, because older people are at high risk of a B12 deficiency.

  See All 2 Answers
• QShould I let my doctor know I take vitamin B9?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Yes, you should tell your doctor that you are planning to use vitamin B9 (also known as folic acid or folate), especially if you are also taking certain other medications, like phenytoin, primidone, methotrexate, barbiturates, nitrofurantoin, tetracycline or pyrimethamine, as these drugs may interact with vitamin B9. If you think you have a folic acid deficiency because you are feeling symptoms of anemia, speak with your doctor before beginning vitamin B9 therapy; you could actually have a different diagnosis or require different treatment. If you are using folic acid because you are pregnant and have not yet discussed your doses with your doctor, you may need to do so to ensure you are getting the appropriate dose. Discuss any concerns you have with your doctor if you are unsure of the effects of vitamin B9.
  
  
• QHow does alcohol interact with folic acid?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Alcohol interferes with how folic acid is absorbed in the body and it increases the amount removed by the kidneys. In addition, people who abuse alcohol tend to have poor diets that provide insufficient folic acid intake. Studies show that more than 50% of chronic alcoholics have folate deficiencies. For these people, it’s important to increase folate through food and supplements.